Effects of apocynin, a drug isolated from the roots of Picrorhiza kurroa, on arachidonic acid metabolism
- 6 July 1992
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in FEBS Letters
- Vol. 305 (3) , 254-256
- https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-5793(92)80680-f
Abstract
Apocynin is a constituent of root extracts of the medicinal herb Picrorhiza kurroa and has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the effects of apocynin on the production of arachidonic acid-derived inflammatory mediators by guinea pig pulmonary macrophages. Apocynin concentration-dependently inhibited the formation of thromboxane A2, whereas the release of prostaglandins E2 and F2α was stimulated. Apocynin potently inhibited arachidonic acid-induced aggregation of bovine platelets, possibly through inhibition of thromboxane formation. The present results suggest that apocynin might, beside its therapeutic effects in inflammatory conditions when given in a root extract of P. kurroa, also be a valuable tool in the development of new anti-inflammatory or anti-thrombic drugs.Keywords
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